Future Plans Amid Cancellations
Bend Studio, the creative force behind the acclaimed game Days Gone, has assured fans that it remains committed to producing “cool s**t” despite recent setbacks. This announcement comes on the heels of Sony’s decision to cancel two unannounced live-service titles, one being developed by Bend Studio and the other by Bluepoint Games.
Details of the Cancellations
The cancellations were confirmed by a Sony spokesperson, who emphasized that neither studio would face closure and that they would collaborate to determine their future projects. Among the canceled titles, Bluepoint’s project was rumored to be a live-service installment within the God of War franchise, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier. Bend Studio’s canceled project, however, remains unspecified.
Sony’s Struggles with Live-Service Games
Sony has faced significant challenges in its push for live-service gaming. While Arrowhead’s Helldivers 2 achieved remarkable success, selling 12 million copies in just 12 weeks and becoming the fastest-selling title from PlayStation Studios, many of Sony’s other live-service ventures have been less fortunate. Notably, Concord is often cited as one of the biggest failures in PlayStation history, with its online service shuttered shortly after launch due to abysmal player engagement.
The cancellation of Concord followed the earlier decision to halt development on Naughty Dog’s anticipated multiplayer adaptation of The Last of Us. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida expressed regret over the live-service strategy, suggesting that he would have resisted such initiatives had he been in a position of authority.
Bend Studio’s Commitment to Innovation
In a heartfelt message to fans, Bend Studio’s community manager, Kevin McAllister, expressed gratitude for the support received and reassured followers that the studio is still focused on innovation. “Thanks for the love and support everyone, especially to those that have reached out. P.S. We still plan on creating cool shit,” he tweeted.
Lessons Learned from Recent Failures
Sony’s president and COO, Hiroki Totoki, acknowledged that the company has learned valuable lessons from both the success of Helldivers 2 and the failure of Concord. He stated that earlier user testing and internal evaluations could have potentially identified issues with Concord before its launch, allowing for improvements or even cancellation.
Totoki pointed out that a “siloed organization” within Sony may have contributed to the lack of communication and coordination that plagued Concord’s development. He emphasized the need for smoother collaboration across departments to optimize the release windows for their titles, thereby avoiding competition among their own games.
Looking Ahead: New Opportunities
During a recent financial call, Sony’s senior vice president for finance and investor relations, Sadahiko Hayakawa, illuminated the contrasting outcomes of Helldivers 2 and Concord. He affirmed that insights gained from both experiences would be shared across the organization to enhance future game development and management processes.
As Sony navigates its mid-range plan, it aims to balance its portfolio with a mix of single-player experiences—where it has a proven track record—and live-service games that offer potential rewards but come with inherent risks. Upcoming projects in the live-service arena include Bungie’s Marathon, Guerrilla’s Horizon Online, and Haven Studio’s Fairgame$.
In summary, while Bend Studio faces the challenges of canceled projects, its commitment to innovation and the lessons learned from recent failures will likely shape its future endeavors in gaming.
